Recent Developments in Different Types of Flame Retardants and Effect on Fire Retardancy of Epoxy Composite

In this review, main focus is on the different types of fire retardants, their properties, and pertinent potential. Both inorganic (titania, silica, and zinc oxide) and organic (graphite, graphene, and graphene nanoplatelet) compounds have been discussed as flame inhibitors. Among various sorts of fire retardants, halogen-based flame inhibitors possess outstanding features. Consequently influence of fire retardant on the performance of epoxy composite has been discussed. It was noted that significant enhancement occurs by addition of organic and inorganic fillers in epoxy matrix. However, halogen additives impart better flame resistance to epoxy composite. Toward the end of this review, potential of halogen-containing fire retardant is discussed.     

环氧树脂/氧化锌晶须/氮化硼导热绝缘复合材料的研究

以环氧树(脂EP)为基体,分别以氧化锌晶(须ZnOw)和ZnOw/氮化硼(BN)混合物为导热填料,制备了EP导热绝缘复合材料。研究了填料含量对复合材料导热性能、电绝缘性能及力学性能的影响,并利用扫描电镜对复合材料的断面形貌进行了观察。结果表明:随着导热填料含量的增大,复合材料的导热系数和介电常数增大,体积电阻率下降,而拉伸强度呈先增大后减小的趋势;在填料含量相同的情况下,EP/ZnOw/BN复合材料比EP/ZnOw复合材料具有更好的导热性能;当填料体积分数为15%时,EP/ZnOw/BN复合材料的热导率为1.06W/(mK)而,EP/ZnOw复合材料的热导率仅为0.98W/(mK)。     

Preparation and properties of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/carbon fiber/epoxy composites

Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes/carbon fiber (MWCNTs/CF) hybrid fillers are employed to prepare MWCNTs/CF/epoxy composites. Results reveal that a great improvement of the thermal conductivities of the epoxy composites with the addition of MWCNTs/CF hybrid fillers, and the thermal conductivity of the MWCNTs/CF/epoxy composites is 1.426 W/mK with 8 vol% treated MWCNTs/CF hybrid fillers (5 vol% MWCNTs + 3 vol% CF). Both the flexural and impact strength of the MWCNTs/CF/epoxy composites are increased firstly, but decreased with the excessive addition of MWCNTs. The flexural and impact strength of the MWCNTs/epoxy composites are optimal with 2 vol% MWCNTs. For a given MWCNTs/CF hybrid fillers loading, the surface treatment of MWCNTs/CF hybrid fillers can further increase the thermal conductivities and mechanical properties of the MWCNTs/CF/epoxy composites. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:2150–2153, 2014. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Epoxy resin modified with in situ generated metal oxides by means of sol–gel process

Organic–inorganic hybrids were prepared with silica, zirconia, or titania in situ generated within epoxy resins based on bisphenol A diglycidyl ether and Jeffamine® by means of the aqueous sol–gel process. The morphology of the prepared hybrids varied from a particulate dispersed phase to a co‐continuous morphology. Silica and zirconia filled epoxies were characterized by a significant increase in thermal stability, attributable to the high thermal stability of silica and zirconia phases. On the contrary, the introduction of titania induced a strong decrease in thermal stability of the epoxy/titania hybrids compared with the pure epoxy resin, attributable to metal‐catalyzed oxidative decomposition mechanism in the polymer/titania composite. Hybrids were much more transparent than unfilled epoxy. The transmittance of silica‐ and titania‐based hybrids showed a slight decrease by increasing the content of filler, while the transparency of zirconia‐based hybrids was very high and almost constant independently by the nominal content of filler. The presence of in situ generated fillers significantly enhanced the scratch resistance of the epoxy resin as indicated by the marked increase of critical load for all the hybrids. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Improvement of Hardness and Wear Resistance of Glass Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composites by the Incorporation of Silica/Carbon Hybrid Nanofillers

The tribological performance of hybrid composite (epoxy reinforced with woven, nonwoven tissue glass fibers, silica and carbon black nanoparticles) was investigated. Two methods were used to ensure good dispersion of nanoparticles in epoxy resin which were ultrasonic processor and magnetic stirrer. The effect of silica and/or carbon black nanoparticle content on microindentation hardness and wear properties of the neat glass fiber-reinforced epoxy composites was investigated. The results from the wear test indicated that, under all applied loads, incorporation of silica and carbon black nanoparticles either single or combined significantly improved the wear resistance of neat glass fiber reinforced epoxy. A significant increase in hardness of the hybrid nanocomposite laminates was achieved. Analysis of variance was developed to study the optimal wear testing parameters on composite samples. The most significant parameter is the time, followed by nanoparticle (silica and carbon black) content.     

无机填料对低粘度高性能环氧树脂性能的影响

研究了空心玻璃微珠QH550、石英砂、氧化锌、白炭黑等无机填料对低粘度高活性环氧树脂体系的填充效果,通过比较树脂体系的拉伸性能、弯曲性能和冲击性等力学性能表明,用氧化锌作为填料时,树脂体系各项力学性能达到最优;研究了氧化锌的填充量对树脂体系力学性能的影响,找到了最佳填充量为树脂总质量的60%。     

Preparation of multiscale graphene oxide‐carbon fabric and its effect on mechanical properties of hierarchical epoxy resin composite

Graphene oxide (GO) was used to modify the surface of carbon fiber layers through electrophoretic deposition, forming a multiscale reinforcement fabric. By adjusting the experimental parameters, the resulting GO‐carbon fabric showed productive and homogenous distribution of thin and less‐agglomerate GO platelets on carbon fiber surface, remarkably enlarging the surface area and roughness of carbon fabric. To investigate the effect of GO sheets on composites, GO‐carbon fabric and carbon fabric‐reinforced hierarchical epoxy resin composites were respectively manufactured. Mechanical tests demonstrated that after introducing GO flakes on carbon fabric, both the flexural strength and interlaminar shear strength of composite had achieved an increase, especially the interlaminar shear strength rising by 34%. Through fractography analysis, it was found that in pure carbon fabric‐reinforced epoxy composite, the fiber/matrix debonding fracture mechanism predominated, while after the GO decoration on carbon fiber surface, the composite featured a stronger interfacial bonding, leading to the enhancement in mechanical properties of hierarchical epoxy resin composite. POLYM. COMPOS., 37:1515–1522, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Functional Polymeric Membrane Containing Inorganic Nanoparticle: Recent Advances and Applications

Considerable industrial and academic interest is garnered by polymer/inorganic nanoparticle composites in technical applications. In this respect, inorganic nanoparticles such as silica, titania, and zinc oxide are dispersed in polymer matrices. Tribological behavior and high-impact resistance of nanoparticles have opened new opportunities for polymeric membranes. Current article overviews research in the field of inorganic nanoparticle-reinforced polyetherimide, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(etheretherketone), polylactic acid, and polyvinyl chloride. The membranes were fabricated through distillation precipitation, solution casting, and microwave-assisted protocol. Property–structure relationship of polymer/inorganic nanoparticle membranes and potential applications in medical, fuel cell, and gas separation have been discussed.     

Mechanical properties of hybrid structural composites reinforced with nanosilica

Epoxy‐based hybrid structural composites reinforced with 14 nm spherical silica particles were investigated for mechanical properties as a function of nanosilica loading fractions. Composites were fabricated using continuous glass or carbon fiber of unidirectional architecture and nanosilica dispersed epoxy, through resin film infusion process. Uniform dispersion of nanoparticles in resin matrix was ensured by an optimized ultrasound‐assisted process. Although resin viscosity marginally reduces in the presence of nanosilica enabling a better control in composite manufacturing process, glass transition temperature of epoxy remained unaffected at low weight fractions. Compressive strength of hybrid glass or carbon fiber/epoxy composites showed more than 30–35% increase with nanosilica at a concentration as low as 0.2 wt%. Tensile and compressive properties of hybrid composites in transverse direction to the reinforcement remained unaffected. POLYM. COMPOS. 37:1216–1222, 2016. © 2014 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Pseudoreinforcement effect of multiwalled carbon nanotubes in epoxy matrix composites

The carbon nanotube possesses outstanding physical properties. Theoretically, adding carbon nanotubes into a polymer matrix can remarkably improve the mechanical properties of the polymer matrix. In the present work, a series of composites was prepared by incorporating multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) into an epoxy resin. The influences of MWNT content and curing temperature on the flexural properties of the epoxy resin were investigated. The results showed that a very low MWNT content should be used to ensure homogeneous dispersion of MWNTs in the epoxy matrix. A higher MWNT content may lead to deteriorated mechanical properties of the composites because of the aggregation of MWNTs. A decline in the flexural properties of the neat epoxy resin with increasing curing temperature was found. However, under the same curing conditions, improvement in flexural properties was observed for the composite with the low MWNT content and a mild curing temperature. The improvement was far beyond the predictions of the traditional short‐fiber composite theory. In fact, this improvement should be attributed to the retarding effect of MWNTs on the curing reaction of epoxy matrix. Therefore, the improvement in the flexural properties was only a pseudoreinforcement effect, not a nano‐reinforcement effect of the MWNTs on the epoxy resin. Perhaps, it is better for MWNTs to be used as functional fillers, such as electrical or thermal conductive fillers, than as reinforcements. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3664–3672, 2006     

Utilizing Vacuum Bagging Process to Prepare Carbon Fiber/CNT-Modified-epoxy Composites with Improved Mechanical Properties

In this work, the effects of carbon nanotube-modified epoxy and carbon nanotube-enriched sizing agent on the tensile properties and failure mode of unidirectional carbon fiber/epoxy composites were investigated. Laminates of carbon fiber/epoxy composites at different concentrations of carbon nanotube and sizing agent were fabricated by hand layup vacuum bagging process. Scanning electron microscopy analysis was conducted to unveil the relation between the macroproperties and the composites’ microstructure. Experimental results showed that the carbon nanotube-modified epoxy/carbon fiber composite showed 20% enhancements in the Young’s modulus compared to the pristine epoxy/carbon fiber composite. The scanning electron microscopy analysis of the fracture surfaces revealed that incorporating carbon nanotube into the epoxy matrix with utilizing the vacuum improves the interfacial bonding and minimizes the voids that act as crack initiators. This microstructure enhances the interfacial shear strength and load transfer between the matrix and the fabrics and consequently the tensile characteristics of the formulated composite.     

Novel Ag/C nanocable/epoxy resin composite

Silver/carbon (Ag/C) nanocables were obtained in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) under hydrothermal conditions in order to modify epoxy resin. Nanocable is a nanocomposite of nanowire (core) wrapped with one or more outer layers (shell). Scanning electron microscopy and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy proved that nanocables consist of a silver nanowire core and a carbon outer shell. The (Ag/C)/epoxy composites were prepared by compounding Ag/C nanocables and epoxy resin. An investigation of the thermal, mechanical, and dielectric properties of these composites showed that the thermal stability and dielectric constant of the composites were enhanced. Interestingly, the breakdown strength of the composites at room temperature increased. Normally, breakdown strength decreases when conducting fillers are added. Fracture morphology of the (Ag/C)/epoxy composite also showed increased toughness. The relationship between the properties and microstructure of the composite was discussed in detail to explain the mechanism behind the change in material properties. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

A Review on Polymer/Cement Composite with Carbon Nanofiller and Inorganic Filler

Owing to non-toxicity and biocompatibility, water-soluble polymers (polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol, poly(N-isopropylacryl-amide), and polyvinylpyrrolidone) have different applications in civil engineering, paint industry, and environmental industries. Portland cement is made up of various kinds of components such as concrete, mortar, and stucco. The quality of cement can be enhanced by adding different fillers such as slag, silica fume, fly ash, and natural pozzolan. Carbon nanofillers (carbon nanotube and graphite) and inorganic fillers such as CaCO₃, Mg(OH)₂, talc, and mica are used in polymer/cement composites to enhance their properties. Polymer/cement composite with lightweight aggregates are best for several future composite applications.     

Dynamic mechanical properties of some epoxy matrix composites

Dynamic mechanical properties of some epoxy matrix composites have been studied, comparing experimental data with theoretical models. The matrix in all composite samples was Shell Epon 828, a diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A, cured with meta-phenylenediamine. Fibrous composite samples were made with glass and graphite fibers. Particulate composite samples were made with glass microspheres, atomized aluminum, powdered silica, alumina, asbestos, mica, carbon black, and graphite. The dynamic elastic modulus and damping of these samples were measured at temperatures between 85° and 345°K by a free-free flexural resonance technique. The dynamic modulus of parallel fiber composites follows the linear rule of mixtures for low fiber volume fractions; deviations from linearity at higher volume fractions appear to be due to defects caused by the sample fabrication technique. Dynamic moduli of the particulate composites conform, within experimental error, to the static modulus theory of Wu up to filler volume fractions of 0.35 to 0.40. Deviations from Wu's theory at higher volume fractions may be due to agglomeration of filler particles. The damping of particulate composites with quasi-spherical filler particles appears to follow the rule of mixtures. In particulate composites with needle- and flake-type fillers, and in fibrous composites, the fillers are more highly stressed; with more of the strain energy in the low-damping fillers, overall damping is reduced. Damping greater than that attributable to the matrix and filler may be due to slippage at the interface between them. In addition to supporting Wu's theory of the elastic modulus of a particulate composite, this study demonstrates the utility of the nondestructive free-free flexural resonance techniques for obtaining a large body of reliable data in a short time from relatively few small samples. This greatly facilitates the experimental testing of theoretical models and the evaluation of fillers, matrix materials, and fabrication techniques.     

The effect of silica (SiO2) nanoparticles and ammonia/ethylene plasma treatment on the interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon-fiber-reinforced epoxy composites

A nanoparticle dispersion is known to enhance the mechanical properties of a variety of polymers and resins. In this work, the effects of silica (SiO₂) nanoparticle loading (0–2 wt%) and ammonia/ethylene plasma-treated fibers on the interfacial and mechanical properties of carbon fiber–epoxy composites were characterized. Single fiber composite (SFC) tests were performed to determine the fiber/resin interfacial shear strength (IFSS). Tensile tests on pure epoxy resin specimens were also performed to quantify mechanical property changes with silica content. The results indicated that up to 2% SiO₂ nanoparticle loading had only a little effect on the mechanical properties. For untreated fibers, the IFSS was comparable for all epoxy resins. With ethylene/ammonia plasma treated fibers, specimens exhibited a substantial increase in IFSS by 2 to 3 times, independent of SiO₂ loading. The highest IFSS value obtained was 146 MPa for plasma-treated fibers. Interaction between the fiber sizing and plasma treatment may be a critical factor in this IFSS increase. The results suggest that the fiber/epoxy interface is not affected by the incorporation of up to 2% SiO₂ nanoparticles. Furthermore, the fiber surface modification through plasma treatment is an effective method to improve and control adhesion between fiber and resin.     

Incorporation of epoxidized soybean oil as co‐matrix in epoxy resin toward developing plastisol/particulate toughened glass fiber composites

Epoxidized soybean oil was incorporated as a co‐matrix into an epoxy resin, and the hybrid resin system was used for preparing glass fiber‐reinforced composites. Effect of addition of poly(vinyl chloride) plastisol and selected particulate fillers (fly ash and wood flour) to epoxy/epoxidized soybean oil matrix on mechanical and water uptake properties of glass fiber‐reinforced composites were studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to reveal the curing state of these composites. It was observed that tensile strengths and moduli decreased with the inclusion of all additives. However, addition of poly(vinyl chloride) plastisol, fly ash, and wood flour particulate fillers showed significant increase in impact strengths compared with neat epoxy composite in a synergistic manner. Water uptake results of the composites were found to be in good agreement with ? OH peak intensities obtained from Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Finally, acousto‐ultrasonic nondestructive technique was successfully used to assess damage states and to relate stress wave factors with tensile strength properties of modified epoxy‐based glass fiber composites. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40586.     

Synergistic effects of carbon fillers in electrically and thermally conductive liquid crystal polymer based resins

Adding conductive carbon fillers to insulating thermoplastic resins increases composite electrical and thermal conductivity. Often, as much of a single type of carbon filler is added to achieve the desired conductivity, while still allowing the material to be molded into a bipolar plate for a fuel cell. In this study, varying amounts of three different carbons (carbon black, synthetic graphite particles, and carbon fiber) were added to Vectra A950RX Liquid Crystal Polymer. The resulting single filler composites were tested for electrical resistivity (1/electrical conductivity) and thermal conductivity. In addition, the effects of single fillers and combinations of two different carbon fillers were studied via a factorial design. The results indicated that for the composites containing only single fillers, synthetic graphite, followed by carbon fiber, cause a statistically significant decrease in composite electrical resistivity. Composites containing only synthetic graphite, followed by carbon black, and then carbon fiber cause a statistically significant increase in thermal conductivity. For the combinations of two different fillers, the composites containing carbon black/synthetic graphite and synthetic graphite/carbon fiber had a statistically significant and positive effect on thermal conductivity. It is possible that thermally conductive pathways are formed that “link” these carbon fillers, which results in increased composite thermal conductivity. POLYM. COMPOS., 2008. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Recent Developments in Epoxy/Graphite,Epoxy/Graphene,and Epoxy/Graphene Nanoplatelet Composites: A Comparative Review

Development in graphite, graphene, and graphene nanoplatelet composites with epoxy matrix is presented here. Graphite and its modified forms propose exclusive properties to composites. Graphene has developed as subject of huge scientific attention due to excellent electron transport, mechanical properties, and high surface area. When combined appropriately with epoxy, these atomically thin carbon sheets can expressively progress physical properties even at very small loading. Epoxy/graphene nanoplatelet nanocomposite with enhanced properties was also reported. We summarized and compared electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties of epoxy composites derived from these three nanofillers. Potential of carbon fillers with epoxy matrix is also discussed.     

Carbon fiber reinforced phenolic Resin/Silica ceramer composites—processing,mechanical and thermal properties

Phenolic/silica ceramers were prepared by the sol‐gel method. Carbon fiber reinforced phenolic/silica ceramer composites with high thermal resistance were fabricated. Tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was used as a monomer for sol‐gel system. Different ratios of the sol‐gel solutoins and phenolic resins were adopted and the resulting ceramers were used as matrices for carbon fiber reinforced composites. The mechanical and thermal properties of the fabricated composites were studied. The results show that the incorporation of inorganic ingredients into the phenolic resins will increase the thermal resistance of the fabricated composites but not affect the flexural strength of the carbon fiber reinforced phenolic/silica ceramer composites up to 60 wt%. The morphologies of the ceramer matrices were examined by SEM. SiO₂ particles from at the gaps between fibers for higher inorganic contents.     

Glass fiber/carbon nanotubes/epoxy three‐component composites as radar absorbing materials

The use of micro or nano‐fillers to optimize the properties of epoxy resins has become a common practice. The Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are considered excellent fillers because of their strength, stiffness, thermal conductivity, electrical capacity, and thermal stability, along with large electromagnetic wave absorption capability in the microwave range. In this work, electromagnetic absorption properties and dynamic‐mechanical response obtained with the incorporation of CNT into glass fiber/epoxy composites have been studied. A novel procedure to disperse and deposit CNT onto glass fiber fabrics has been developed to reach high overall content of CNT in the composite (4.15 wt%). Storage modulus increased with the incorporation of CNT, especially when they had also been incorporated into the epoxy, and for higher frequency (3 Hz). The response of the composites to electromagnetic radiation has shown an increasing trend for higher CNT content (up to 2 wt%), reaching an excellent attenuation value of up to −18.3 dB (98.5% of absorption). POLYM. COMPOS., 37:2277–2284, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers